Posted by Jake Rossen
Martin McNeil For ESPN.com
Cheick Kongo would be well advised never to take a fight on short notice again.
Despite misinformed opposition from typewriting German storm troopers -- thanks to the time difference, it was actually 5 p.m. ET on a Tuesday in 1995 -- the UFC made a successful debut in Cologne on Saturday, offering up a card that was surprisingly robust in the weeks leading into its kitchen-sink 100th event.
In a bout that had reverberations through the deep 195-pound division, Rich Franklin managed to ace Wanderlei Silva in a three-round decision. Although Silva appeared to fatigue easily -- perhaps he shouldn't have hunted, killed and eaten that wild boar the evening before -- he was the more aggressive of the two in the latter 10 minutes; the premise of scorecard victimization will come up repeatedly during the coming weeks.
Franklin, meanwhile, seemed relieved that he didn't have to put another paycheck into the hands of his plastic surgeon.
Next for Franklin: No more catchweight nonsense: He fought Dan Henderson at 205 pounds, and now Henderson is back at 185; he fought Silva at 195 pounds, a Bermuda triangle class. Talk about spinning your wheels. Give Franklin the winner of Stephan Bonnar-Mark Coleman or Thiago Silva-Keith Jardine and let the guy take a step forward.
Next for Silva: A harder weight cut -- one he should approach with more discretion than this one. What's Drew McFedries doing in October?
Next for Cain Velasquez: Probably one more fight before a title shot: Velasquez-Shane Carwin for the slot makes sense. Especially if you're a Las Vegas-based brain-trauma specialist.
Next for Cheick Kongo: Someone to tell him that taking a big fight on 21 days' notice is not a good idea.
Next for Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic: He looked good -- but not great -- in dispensing of Mustapha al Turk after an inadvertent eye poke. Filipovic versus the loser of the (still unconfirmed) Randy Couture-Antonio Nogueira fight would be highly watchable.
Martin McNeil for ESPN.com
Wanderlei Silva showed heart and guts in losing a decision to Rich Franklin.
Awards
Heart of the night award: Unquestionably Silva. Tired, muscles choking on lactic acid, he still made repeated attempts to pour it on against Franklin and nearly had him on ice a couple of times.
Fight of the night award: Marcus Davis versus Dan Hardy -- three rounds of combat catharsis between two seriously irritated fighters.
Backing up his talk award: Hardy, taking a tough fight against a tough fighter in Davis and giving him a good work-over.
Haircut of the night award: A three-statue evening for Hardy, who bests Caol Uno in this category. At least Hardy's looks intentional.
New questions
Q: Did Velasquez's value depreciate after he stumbled multiple times against Kongo?
A: Maybe, but only among those who don't realize he has only five (now six) fights under his belt. The guy's career has barely gotten started, and he impressively handled the adversity of getting cracked.
Martin McNeil for ESPN.com
Despite an impressive showing at UFC 99, Mirko Filipovic wouldn't carry himself well against the organization's best heavyweights.
Q: If Silva looked like a sauna occupant when cutting to 195 pounds, what's going to happen when he tries to make 185?
A: He needs to lose muscle mass, not dehydrate himself. (UFC commentator Joe Rogan mentioned a 12-pound cut the day before the fight.) Silva didn't grow up wrestling in Iowa. He needs some dry runs between now and his next fight.
Q: Can Filipovic contend for the UFC's heavyweight title?
A: No.
Q: Why not?
A: He's too easily pressured on the feet these days. Al Turk -- who is hardly known for his surgical striking -- clipped him plenty while standing. Brock Lesnar would toss his checkered butt down. I do have interest in seeing him against Frank Mir, though, if only for circa-1994 style versus style dramatics.
Q: When is Mike Swick's title shot?
A: When he beats another contender at 170 pounds. (His win over Marcus Davis was solid.) Taking on Karo Parisyan would do nicely.
Martin McNeil for ESPN.com
At UFC 99, German fans got their first taste of what MMA is all about.
Etc. …
• The UFC had to hand out sternly worded legal letters to factually challenged German newspapers in the days leading up to the event.
• In a prefight Q&A, UFC president Dana White said he would be open to signing Josh Barnett if he defeats Fedor Emelianenko.
• White also announced his Spike deal for "The Ultimate Fighter" would be extended by two seasons, bringing the series total to 14.
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